OpenStreetMap (new tab)

Google Map (new tab)

Google Streetview (new tab)

Building History

This was the third building in San Francisco to have the name "Niantic." The first was a beached, three-masted ship that functioned as a warehouse and hotel from 1849 until 1872. The second building was built on the site of the ship/building, the northwest corner of Clay and Sansome Streets, between 1872 and 1874. It perished in the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 04/18-20/1906.

This third building was built on the site of the second. An article in the San Francisco Callof 07/01/1908 stated: "The Niantic building, on the northwest corner of Sansome and Clay streets, was sold yesterday by the L. Scatena company to William Giselman, trustee of the Hastings estate, for $220,000. The building has recently been completed and partly leased. It is a four-story basement structure of reinforced concrete with a frontage of 91x73 and is regarded as one of the best loft buildings in the city. L. Scatena, in speaking of the deal, said he was well satisfied with the sale and thought i a remarkably good transaction. It will be remembered that a few months ago the trustee of the Hastings estate sold to the Southern Pacific a block of land in the southern part of the city for the sum of $800,000. William Giselman is using this money in purchasing property in the downtown district, which shows his faith in San Francisco realty. Not long ago Giselman bought the Knickerbocker, Barker and Bostwich property for $175,000; this is located on Second street, 30 feet southeast of Minna, and it is reported that he is still in the market for good future paying property." (See "Niantic Building Sold to Hastings Estate," San Francisco Call, vol. 104, no. 31, 07/01/1908, p. 4.)

Demolition

The Niantic Building #3 was torn down. It was replaced by 2 Transamerica Plaza (aka the Pyramid Center), at 505 Sansome Street, completed in 1980.

PCAD id: 25834